By Travis Bader, founder of Silvercore Outdoors.
Last updated: 24 October 2026
Silvercore's PAL courses (CFSC and CRFSC) are taught by instructors certified by the BC Chief Firearms Officer, and its CORE courses by instructors the BC Wildlife Federation certifies as instructors and examiners. Founder Travis Bader, an RCMP Master Instructor and CORE Hunter Education Facilitator, trains the instructors who teach at Silvercore, as the About Silvercore page states. The pass mark on each PAL course exam is 80 percent.
What does the law require of a PAL course instructor?
The Firearms Act, section 7, sets the licence training requirement. Paragraph 7(1)(a), one of the routes to licence eligibility, is successfully completing the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) "as given by an instructor who is designated by a chief firearms officer," and passing the tests "as administered by an instructor who is designated by a chief firearms officer." Section 7(2) applies the same designated-instructor rule to the restricted firearms safety course (CRFSC) required for restricted privileges.
The RCMP Canadian Firearms Program safety courses page states: "All instructors must meet and maintain certain service standards and quality of instruction." It directs anyone who wants to teach to contact their Chief Firearms Officer.
Who certifies Silvercore's PAL course instructors?
The combined PAL course page states: "Every Silvercore instructor is certified by the BC Chief Firearms Officer to teach the CFSC and CRFSC." Silvercore's pages say certified where section 7 of the Firearms Act says designated.
The How to Get Your PAL in Canada guide states: "Our program is built and maintained under RCMP Master Instructor oversight," and "our instructors are current, formally credentialed, and teach the way the RCMP intends the material to be taught."
Who is Travis Bader?
I am the founder of Silvercore. My credentials, as the live Silvercore pages state them:
- RCMP Master Instructor credentials for both the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course, along with a CORE Hunter Education train-the-trainer designation (PAL guide).
- Taught firearms safety since 1994, the year the Canadian Firearms Safety Course was introduced (About Silvercore).
- A CORE Hunter Education Facilitator qualified to train instructors and certify examiners (CORE course page).
- Qualified as an expert witness in firearms matters at the Federal Court of Canada and the Provincial Court of British Columbia (PAL guide).
The About Silvercore page states: "Travis, an RCMP Master Instructor and CORE Hunter Education Facilitator, trains the instructors who teach at Silvercore."
What standard are PAL course students tested to?
The CFSC and CRFSC each have a written exam and a practical firearms handling test. The combined PAL course page states: "The pass mark is 80 percent on each exam: the CFSC written, CFSC practical, CRFSC written and CRFSC practical." Each written exam is 50 multiple-choice questions, so a student can miss up to 10 and still pass.
Both courses are non-firing. Training uses deactivated firearms. The PAL guide states: "Silvercore caps each class at twelve students."
Who teaches CORE hunter education at Silvercore?
The CORE Hunter Education course page states that "every Silvercore CORE instructor is certified by the BC Wildlife Federation as a CORE instructor and examiner." The CORE exam is a 90-question multiple-choice test and a practical firearms handling test. The page sets the pass marks at 68 of 90 on the written exam, "the BCWF pass mark," and 23 out of 30 on the practical.
Who teaches the Bear & Wildlife Defence course?
The Bear & Wildlife Defence (BR1) course page states: "Safety is paramount; all of our instruction is done by federally certified firearms instructors."
What is the teaching approach?
The About Silvercore page states the philosophy: "It's our philosophy that training should be conducted in an honest, measurable, adaptable, and non-intimidating fashion."
Where do you start?
For a first licence, the combined PAL course (CFSC and CRFSC) is $270 plus tax and runs two consecutive days or three consecutive evenings, with all four exams included. It is taught by instructors certified by the BC Chief Firearms Officer. Book the combined PAL course.
Frequently asked questions
Who administers the PAL course exams?
An instructor designated by a chief firearms officer. Paragraphs 7(1)(a) and 7(2)(a) of the Firearms Act refer to the CFSC tests and the restricted course tests as administered by an instructor who is designated by a chief firearms officer.
Is the pass mark the same on the written and practical PAL exams?
Yes. Silvercore's combined PAL course page states that the pass mark is 80 percent on each exam: the CFSC written, CFSC practical, CRFSC written and CRFSC practical.
Are Silvercore's CORE instructors certified by the same body as its PAL course instructors?
No. Silvercore's CFSC and CRFSC instructors are certified by the BC Chief Firearms Officer, and its CORE instructors are certified by the BC Wildlife Federation as instructors and examiners.
Has Travis Bader been qualified as an expert witness on firearms?
Yes. Silvercore's PAL guide states that Travis Bader has been qualified as an expert witness in firearms matters at the Federal Court of Canada and the Provincial Court of British Columbia.
Does Travis Bader train Silvercore's instructors?
Yes. Silvercore's About page states that Travis, an RCMP Master Instructor and CORE Hunter Education Facilitator, trains the instructors who teach at Silvercore.
